Doolan in for stint at captaincy

By
ALEX FAIR

Alex Doolan will get his first formal leadership opportunity with Tasmania after being named captain for the Tigers' preseason one-day series against Victoria in Queensland this month.

Alex Doolan

ALEX Doolan will get his first formal leadership opportunity with Tasmania after being named captain for the Tigers' preseason one-day series against Victoria in Queensland this month.

The incumbent Test No.3, who has taken over the state's vice-captaincy from Tim Paine, will lead a young and inexperienced team, with the majority of senior Tigers unavailable due to the Champions League T20 in India.

For the 28-year-old former Launceston cricketer, who made his Test debut in South Africa earlier this year, it will be a vital learning experience and will give him valuable preparation for when he is called upon in the absence of George Bailey during the summer.

"I certainly have some ideas about what I want to get out of it," he said yesterday.

"It's a huge honour to be able to captain your peers and be in that position of responsibility, but for me it is about learning what it is like to captain at the level and also to learn a lot about our younger players.

"We'll be trying a few things, playing batsmen in different positions and giving bowlers different roles, which will keep things really fresh."

The series will also be the 28-year-old's last opportunity for some competitive cricket before the Test squad for next month's series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates is named.

He said he was "hopeful" it will be a full strength Victorian team in opposition.

"I've had a really good winter with the A team against India A and feel like I'm in really good form and now I'm looking forward to the summer ahead," Doolan said.

"There is no point thinking about [Test selection] as there's not really much I can do and hopefully the cards can fall my way."